Burnett appointed to Idaho Travel Council

Gov. Butch Otter has appointed Doug Burnett to serve as the Region I representative on the Idaho Travel Council. Burnett was appointed to replace J.J. Jaeger, who served two terms on the travel council, most recently serving as chairman.

Burnett lives in Rathdrum with his wife and two sons and has an impressive tourism and hospitality resume. He has worked for Hagadone Hospitality since 1995, currently serving as resident manager of the Coeur d'Alene Resort. Burnett previously was general manager at Port Ludlow Resort in Washington and vice president and general manager at Bodega Bay Lodge in California. He also held management positions with Sheraton Hotels in Hawaii, Australia and California.

"Doug will be a great addition to a diverse group of individuals from the travel and tourism industry who serve an important advisory role in developing strategies to attract visitors to our great state," Otter said. "We have no shortage of attractions and activities throughout the state, and we need to ensure that Idaho is a great option both for families making vacation plans and organizations looking for unique locations for conferences and events."

Burnett is the past president of the Idaho Lodging and Restaurant Association and serves on the Executive Committee. He is an advisory committee member for the Resort Academy Hospitality Program for the Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Lakeland School Districts and the North Idaho College Resort Recreation Management program. He earned his bachelor's degree in Hospitality Business Management from Washington State University.

The goal of the Idaho Travel Council and the Idaho Department of Commerce Tourism Team is to expand the state's economy by increasing visitor expenditures.

The Idaho Travel Council is an eight-member, private-sector advisory board appointed by the governor.